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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 prevented colonists from traveling west of the Appalachian Mountains. The colonists were angry about this because they had fought the French and Indians to gain control of this land. So, they began to move out there, even without the permission of the British government. -
Sugar Act
This act placed a tax on sugar and other goods coming into the colonies. Many people were upset about this. What upset them the most was that they did not get a say in the tax being placed on them. -
Stamp Act
This act placed a tax on all legal and commercial documents like newspapers, diplomas, licenses, or playing cards. Colonists responded with the phrase "No taxation without representation". Colonists organized a boycott of British goods. Some colonists beat up tax collectors. The British were forced to remove the Stamp Act because of the way the people reacted. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts designed to raise money for the British government. These laws placed a tax on lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea brought into the colonies. The Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, began another boycott of British goods. In response, the British send in more troops. -
The Boston Massacre
The colonists were very angry at the British for all the taxes. They took out some of that anger by yelling things at British soldiers, called Red Coats. On March 5, colonists began throwing rocks and snowballs at some soldiers. The British responded bt firing their guns. Crispus Attucks, a former slave, was the first to be killed. He is said to be the first casualty of the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
Late one night in December, members of the Sons of Liberty dressed like Mohawk Indians and entered Boston harbor. In response to the tax on tea, they through the chests of tea into the water. The British demanded payment for the tea and for those that did this to be brought to trial. -
Intolerable Acts
Also known as the Coercive Acts, it was a series of laws passed to punish the Massachusetts colony for the Tea Party. The Boston harbor was closer, British troops could be housed in people's homes, and it prevented the Massachusetts legislature from making and passing laws. The Colonies organized the First Continental Congress and began to call for the formation of militias.
